Obatalá, Owner of All Heads

Obatalá

Obatalá (Obbatalá) is called the creator of earth and the sculptor of mankind because he was given this job by his father Olodumare, the supreme God in the Lucumí pantheon. According to a patakí (sacred story), Olodumare sent Obalatá to earth at the beginning of time, when there was nothing there but water. Olodumare gave his son a little bit of dirt and a chicken, and he told him to create the earth with it. Obatalá put the dirt in a pile in the middle of the sea and put the chicken on top of it. Soon, the chicken started scratching the dirt, spreading it around, and that's how the earth took shape. Once the continents had been formed, Olofi, another manifestation of the supreme God, told Obatalá to form human beings. Obatalá obeyed, adding the final touch by putting heads on the bodies of the humans he created. That's why Obatalá is said to be the owner of all heads.

Another patakí says that Obatalá saved humans from destruction. On one occasion, the Orichas were having a party and they forgot to invite Yemayá. She was so angry that she whipped up the oceans and flooded the world. Humans were terrified and didn't know what to do, so they ran to Obatalá and asked him to intervene. He ordered Yemayá to retreat, and she did out of respect to him. Obatalá, as the creator of earth, can be the only one to end it.

Obatalá is the owner of all things that are white, as well as the human head and all of its thoughts and dreams. He also owns silver and white metals, and the ceiba tree. Obatalá likes cotton, cocoa butter, cascarilla (powder made of egg shells), marble eggs, and snails. As tribute, he likes merengues, white rice, white custard, rice pudding, black eyed peas, fruits with a grainy texture like pomegranates, pears and custard apples, roasted ñamé (sweet potato) and malanga (taro root). Obatalá's food can never be salted. He's an Oricha who came directly to earth from heaven as the son of God, specifically Olodumare and Olofi. He was sent to earth to do good and govern as the king of the planet. Obatalá is calm, wise, understanding, and he loves peace and harmony. He demands proper behavior from his children and, out of respect, they obey him. No one can swear or blaspheme in front of Obatalá, and no one should appear naked in his presence. He hates alcohol and prohibits his children from drinking it. He always dresses in white, and his eleke (beaded necklace) is also white. He lives in a white porcelain sopera (soup tureen) kept on the altar of the home. Obatalá protects against blindness, paralysis and dementia.

Obatalá

Obatalá Takes Many Forms

Obatalá can be male or female

Orichas have different caminos or paths, meaning that the same Oricha can be manifested through different avatars. Obatalá can be either male or female, depending on his camino. For example, Obatalá Ocha Griñán, Obatalá Obu Moró, and Obatalá Ayáguna are male; Obatalá Obanlá, Obatalá Ochanlá, and Obatalá Alaguema are female. In all, Obatalá has 24 caminos. Some Santeros will know Obatalá as mother and others will know him as father. The sons and daughters of Obatalá are strong willed but they're peaceful, calm and trustworthy people. They're a bit reserved, and don't complain much. Because Obatalá is the owner of human heads, his children are usually very intelligent and fond of studying. Obatalá likes order and cleanliness. He likes to have a calm environment. He's patient with his children and very loving toward them, but he must be respected and obeyed. Obatalá's number is 8, and his Catholic counterpart is the Virgin of Mercy. His feast day is September 24. Some lineages say his day of the week is Thursday, and others say Sunday. In nature, tall majestic mountains are his symbol. Because Obatalá is considered the creator of human beings, everyone can ask him to intervene and help in times of need. Obatalá will intercede when other Orichas are turning a deaf ear.